“They manage things well,” he thought. “Nothing could be more unsuspicious in appearance than this place and everything connected with it. They select favorable nights to run in their goods, and have sentinels stationed, probably, to give notice of unwelcome approaches.”
After a time they returned to the open air again, and, as he stood on the beach gazing out on the moonlit ocean, Mr. Withers expressed a desire to take a sail. The night was lovely, there was a bracing breeze, and the prospect, he declared, was enticing.
“Can you not loan me a sailing boat,” he asked, “with the mute—Luke Felton I think you said was his name—to manage it?”
An affirmative reply was given, and forthwith Mr. Withers was seated in the Fleetwing with “Dummy,” as Roake persisted in calling him.
The sail caught the wind, and the light craft darted rapidly over the blue waters. Mr. Withers made known by expressive pantomime that he was thrilled with pleasure, and Luke Felton guided the yacht with skillful hands.
The land was left half a mile behind, and still Mr. Withers was not satisfied. He indicated to his companion a circular course that would take them first past a point that projected from the shore, and then back to Rocky Beach by a circular course. The mute bowed assent, and proceeded accordingly.
Now was the time for an action determined upon by Mr. Withers. After the point was passed, he intimated a desire to try his hand at managing the yacht. This was at first opposed smilingly by Luke Felton, but his opposition was overruled.
And as soon as Mr. Withers obtained control of the sail and tiller, he ran the boat directly toward the shore. He guided it skillfully into a little cove, bordered on two sides with rocks.
Luke Felton rose to his feet in alarm, and pointed out the danger of striking on dangerous points. But Mr. Withers smiled. His pedestrian excursion about the environs of Dalton had not been made in vain. He had visited the spot and taken careful note of its peculiarities.
But Luke Felton remonstrated by an impressive gesture, and carried his objections to such a point that the Reverend Mr. Withers was obliged to display a pistol to reduce him to quietude.